Category Archives: Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015

Telecom Trade Union Movement – A Saga of Struggles, Sacrifices and Achievements (7) – National Strike on 29th November 1991

14 Tuesday Aug 2018

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The collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR) in the 1980s changed the equation of world economy and also power balance. Capitalist countries, with United States of America (USA) at the head, got the upper hand. Not only the economically developed European states, but many developing countries like India, also changed their policies and turned over to capitalist line more and more. They forgot the help received from the socialist state and started implementing the neo-liberal policy. Though Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had started the process in a mild way, it was under the Narasimha Rao Government in 1991 that the full process started. The Finance Minister was Dr. Manmohan Singh, the celebrated capitalist economist who later became Prime Minister. It was the workers and the common people who had to suffer the miseries consequent to the implementation of the neo-liberal policy. Helping the corporates – Indian and foreign, to take over the Public Sector Units, destroy the PSUs as such, privatisation – all these were made important targets of the government.
All India Trade Union Convention
There was strong reaction from the working class against the neo-liberalisation programmes, which attacked their livelihood and trade union rights. They organised struggles and agitations. The All India Trade Union Convention which was held at New Delhi on 17th September 1991, strongly protested against the anti- worker economic policies being adopted by the central government. The convention pointed out that taking loans from International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank has aggravated the situation by putting the country in to heavy debt. More and more taxes are imposed on the people at the dictates of the WB and IMF, tools of world capitalism. Unemployment is increasing day by day. Many companies have been closed down. The convention called upon the working class to prepare for sustained struggle to change the situation. It decided to organise a nation wide Strike on 29th November 1991 against the anti-worker neo-liberal policies.
All India Convention of CG Employees.
The Convention held at Azad Bhawan, New Delhi on 10 November 1991 was presided over by Comrades O.P.Bhasin (Confederation), K.Adinarayana (NFPE), S.Jagannathan (NFTE), Ganguli (AIDEF) etc. Comrade S.K.Vyas (Confederation), O.P.Gupta (NFTE), Moni Bose ( Telecom E.III Union), K.K.N.Kutty (ITEF),K.M.Mathew (AIDEF) and others spoke exposing the anti-worker policy of the government, the decision of the central trade unions to go on strike on 19 November 1991 and the need of the central government employees’ participating in the same. After detailed discussion, it was decided to call for strike with the following demands in addition to those included by the central trade unions:
1. Discuss the economic – commercial policies with central trade unions.
2. Stop privatisation of govt. departments; No computerisation without discussion with the workers.
3. Equality of wages with Public Sector employees; 20% increase immediately.
4. Regularisation of ED, Casual workers.
5. No ban on creation of posts. Fill up the vacancies
6. Bonus for all, whose income is less than Rs. 3,500
7. Income tax exemption for those drawing up to Rs. 3,500.
Even after taking decision in the convention for strike, O.P.Gupta continued his vacillating line. He did not take any significant action for organising the strike. However, Telecom Class III Union, Telegraph Traffic class III Union and similar minded unions continued their preparation and organised the strike effectively.
The 29th November 1991 strike was a great success. More than one crore workers participated. It was the first strike against the anti-people neo-liberalisation policy of the central government and the telecom workers were proud that they have wholeheartedly participated in the same along with the working class.
The telecom workers appreciated the vibrant and militant stand of the new leadership, who were elected at the Bhopal AIC and they also understood the difference between the revisionist and progressive lines. The telecom workers can take pride that in each and every general strike that followed, they wholeheartedly participated in them. (To be continued)

Telecom Trade Union Movement – A Saga of Struggles, Sacrifices and Achievements (6) – CHQ Starts functioning in right earnest

10 Friday Aug 2018

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(Continued from earlier post)

Functioning of CHQ
The new leadership of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (E.III Union) started work in right earnest with V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and Moni Bose, General Secretary staying at Dada Ghosh Bhawan, head quarters of the union. The “Telecom” (monthly) and ” Correspondence” (Weekly) were issued in time with not only the issues of the telecom workers, but with articles on the issues of the working class in general to educate the workers. The editorial in the first issue after Bhopal Conference was about the October Revolution in Russia, which inspired an entire generation of workers all over the world. Coms. Atma Ram and Raghubir Singh, employees of the union continued, but it was felt that they could be more helpful.

In the morning, Moni and Namboodiri will work at HQ and in the after-noon, they will go to Sanchar Bhawan, HQ of DOT to discuss the problems of the workers. All the pending issues were being taken up in a systematic way. The condition of the old car handed over by O.P.Gupta, former General Secretary, was pitiful as almost every day, it will have some break down on the way. Hence the car was in the garage only. We used to go to Sanchar Bhawan, either in bus or auto. The Metro Service has not started and it was very difficult to get auto and going by bus with more than double the passengers was almost an impossible task. However, there was no other way.

During these journeys to DOT and discussions, Moni was firm that Namboodiri should also accompany him. After the work at Sanchar Bhawan, both will go to the residence of Com. Neelotpal Basu, M.P., son-in-law of Moni Bose, in V.P.House and take tea/tiffin or sometimes dinner itself. His daughter, Susmitha Bose was employed in Delhi. It will always be 09.00 to 10.00 PM by the time we reaches back to DGB, somehow managing to get an auto or bus.

Within days, Com. Jyotsna Bose, wife of Moni Bose, also came to Delhi from Calcutta. She was a Telephone operator and was a leader of the union and had retired by that time. She used to prepare very tasty food for both of us.

I stayed in a room, which had no ventilation at all, but there was no other alternative. Though I have stayed at CHQ two- three times for one or two months earlier as Assistant General Secretary of the union, it was only after the Bhopal AIC that I started staying at CHQ continuously. When I was AGS, O.P.Gupta, GS never asked me to come to CHQ. I used to come on my own. But when I came, he entrusted me a lot of work and worked in-cordination. Those visits and stay at CHQ helped at present in attending to the day to day work. (To be continued)

Telecom Trade Union Movement – A Saga of Struggles, Sacrifices and Achievements (3) Bhopal All India Conference, Start of A New Era. (contd)

19 Thursday Jul 2018

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The Annual Report of was presented by General secretary Com. O.P.Gupta. As usual, the report was lengthy, more than one hundred pages with many unnecessary comments about other leaders and also about comrades who don’t agree with him. It took about two hours to read the same, which was done by Assistant General Secretaries and other All India office bearers.
The discussion on the report was explosive. The delegates who spoke severely criticised the agreement reached by the union with the management of restructuring of cadres by agreeing to the dictates of the DOT by surrendering more than one and half lakh vacancies, conceding that higher qualification is required for promotion instead of seniority as hitherto. These are well known tactics for the privatisation of the telecom services, they accused.
The delegates also accused the CHQ leadership of removing those workers and leaders who opposed the top leadership and their wrong policies. Comrades Moni Bose (W.Bengal), J.Renganathan (Chennai) and V.A.N.Namboodiri, (Kerala) who had resigned their all India posts of Vice- Presidents and Asst. General Secretary respectively, explained the reasons for their resignations, which itself was an indictment of the CHQ. Comrades M.N.Reddy (Andhra), Ananta Battacharjee (Calcutta), R.S.Yadav (U.P.), Shivdas Banerjee (W.Bengal) and other leaders also exposed the wrong policies of Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary and expressed their viewpoints effectively. As usual, this writer, with well prepared notes with facts and figures exposed the pro-government decisions and actions of the GS which was against the interests of the workers. The dictatorial attitude of the GS was tooth and nail opposed. Though the President, Com. Homi Daji, tried to cut short the speeches, the delegates were able to present their points in an effective manner.
The open session was held on the third day which was addressed by Minister of State for Communications, Shri Venkaiah Naidu. The demands of the workers were presented before him by the leaders.
While the conference was going on, our comrades utilised the opportunity to meet the delegates of all the circles and tried to convince the correctness of our stand on demands and requested them to oppose the anti-worker agreements. We sat for hours together in these discussions and many comrades were fully convinced.
In the same way our senior comrades sat together in the morning, noon and evening to review the discussions, its effect on the delegates etc. In one of the meeting, this writer suggested that not only we oppose the wrong actions of the CHQ, but should contest the elections, which was readily accepted by our comrades and work started for the same. Though our comrades were in the leadership in seven circles only, as OPG used to ridicule us, we could find out there were many comrades in other circles who agreed with us. Some comrades pointed out that left unity will suffer in case of contest, but this isolated suggestion was dismissed. The general opinion was that either we will win or at least get substantial votes.
The next issue was that who will contest the posts. Com. Moni Bose suggested that Com. VAN should contest as General Secretary on the point that I have been functioning as Asst. General secretary at CHQ and is well aware of the problems of the workers. I proposed Com. Moni Bose, as he was the senior most leader who should contest against veteran leader Com. O.P.Gupta. My suggestion was accepted and it was decided that Com. Moni will contest for General Secretary and myself for the post of President. Leaders for the other posts were also finalised. All these discussions and decisions were strictly kept secret, as we were fully aware that, if the news is out, Com. Gupta will ensure that the either the election is not held or the election is manipulated.
The surprise
Com.O.P.Gupta and his supporters were under the impression that after the heated discussion and protests, all will become calm and the election will be unanimously conducted as is the tradition for many years. Nobody was prepared to invite the wrath of the powerful leadership. So, when the President Com. Homi Daji, invited nomination for the post of All India office-bearers, the first panel received was one with Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri as President and Com.Moni Bose as General Secretary. Com. OPG also submitted his panel. When both the lists were read out, there was complete silence in the hall. Com. Homi Daji, though was included as President in Gupta’s panel, withdrew from the contest and name of Com.K.L.Sharma(Rajasthan) was put in his place. OPG approached for a unified list, but as we, knowing his clever tactics, did not agree and the contest became unavoidable. (To be continued)

DEFEAT GOVT. MOVE FOR STRATEGIC SALE OF BSNL AND MTNL !

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Disinvestment, Forum, SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN, Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015

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BSNL has always been a target of both the UPA and NDA governments to be attacked and finished. BSNL was formed as a PSU with the intention of privatising after some time. As all know, telecom sector with its huge profit, has always been a paradise for the corporates, Indian and foreign. BSNL stands as a challenge to these corporates for minting unlimited profits. The government company had to be either killed or gradually privatised through disinvestment. In order to achieve this, BSNL has to be discredited, made loss making so that there will be on reaction from the public. The continuous growth of BSNL for the first five years was a shock to the government as well as the corporates. The move of the government to reduce the number of employees through VRS was defeated by the complete strike and sustained struggles of the workers who stood together like a rock. Move to disinvest was also defeated in the same way.

It is at this time that the government intervened and cut the entire equipment procure programme of BSNL, not once but thrice. It was just like sending an army in the forward area without arms and ammunition. Only through a magnificient strike, the damage could be lessened, which at least allowed the company to move slowly forward.

The posting of loss for the last four years encouraged the government to bring their long pending agenda of privatisation to the forefront. The proposal of NITI Ayog for strategic sale of BSNL and MTNL is nothing but handing over the companies to the corporates for garnering huge profits and grab the lakhs of acres of land in the centre of towns. People know how Maruti, the country’s prestigious company, was transferred to Japan’s Suzuki. People know how VSNL, another telecom company was handed over to Tata for a pittance.

The NITI Ayog’s present recommendation is a jerk action, seeing that BSNL is being revived after the joint efforts of the management and the workers under the leadership of Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations. ‘Customer Delight Year’, ‘Service With A Smile’, ‘Free Night Call’ and such other programmes have improved both service and the financial position. There is an operational profit of about Rs. 2,000 crore this year and there may be real profit from next year. In such a situation, the government will not be able to implement its sinister schemes. Hence the government’s urgency to move with lightning speed for strategic sale.

The workers of BSNL will never allow a VSNL in BSNL. BSNL is their bread and butter. More than that, it is the pride and glory of the country, which served them dedicatedly and sincerely for the last one and half century with out fail. The telecom workers have a glorious past of fighting against wrong polices of the government. They will march ahead in this struggle path with maximum unity and determination.

We call upon all the Unions and Associations in BSNL to close their ranks immediately and come together under the Forum of BSNL Unions and Association to fight and defeat the sinister move of the government to kill BSNL and MTNL. The internal and other differences have to be kept aside at this crucial juncture. It is just like a national emergency for the BSNL and MTNL employees.

Remember how the private management of VSNL, ITDC Hotels, BALCO etc. after privatisation, retrenched the women workers, SC/ST employees and then more than half of the employees on one pretext or other, pushing them to the crowd of the crores of unemployed in the country. Some of them even committed suicide without finding themselves unable to maintain their families. All the assurances were broken and the workers were thrown to the steets.

Do we in BSNL want such a situation? NO! We will fight and defeat the  ugly monsters who wants us to be thrown to the streets. Let each and every worker come under the mighty Forum to save BSNL and save their own future!

UNITY FOR STRUGGLE !

STRUGGLE FOR UNITY !

UNITY AND STRUGGLE TO DEFEND BSNL AND OUR EXISTENCE !

 

 

Telecom TU Movement (21) – Magnificent Strike from 19-05-1995

14 Sunday Feb 2016

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The Magnificent Five days Strike of telecom workers from 19-051995.

The 4.5 lakh of telecom workers throughout the country by their magnificent response to the strike call given by the Federations, demonstrated their strong opposition the ill-motivated privatization of this vital telecom sector and their firm determination to defeat the same.

The National Telecom Policy (NTP- 1994) announced by the Government in the Parliament on 13th May 1994 envisaged that companies registered in India will be allowed to operate basic telecom services. Till now, only government was operating thee services being its monopoly. The condition that these companies should have experience of operating 5 lakh telephones made it compulsory for them to have collaboration with the MNCs, since no company in India had the experience, since telecom was the monopoly of the Department of Telecom.

The DOT violated all norms by giving Letter of Intent to a MNC, US WEST, to start pilot projects in four districts of T.Nadu, even before the tenders were opened.  By another order, the CGMs of Telecom Circles were asked to allot spaces in  offices/exchanges for private companies on request. The assurance given to the staff by former Communications Minister, Rajesh Pilot, that they will be consulted before any decision taken on privatization was violated.

The withdrawal of the strike to start from 17th April 1994 against privatization, by the three Federations was a set-back  in the fight against privatization and it helped the management to move ahead. However, the formation of the Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti at the initiative of the E.III Union with other like-minded unions, the All India Convention against telecom privatisation held in New Delhi on 20th April 1995  and the State level conventions and other campaign programmes organized by the DSS were able to educate the workers about the looming danger and  mobilize them for struggle. It compelled the 3 Federations to come to the struggle programme and decided for the Indefinite Sit-in-Strike from 19th May 1995.

The government as part of threatening the employees directed the State Governments to invoke the drastic Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) to tackle and punish the striking works. But it did not have much result. The Central Government declared the strike as illegal on 17-05-1995. It also asked the state government to declare telecom services as Essential Services. The many state governments implemented the above directions. But the Left governments of Tripura and W.Bengal refused to implement the central directions and instead asked the centre to withdraw the NTP- 1994.

The strike was total from J&K to Kerala and from North East States to Gujarat. According to government it was 70%, but the fact is that it was almost 100%. The strike took place both in MTNL also effectively. The services were badly hit in all the places.

In Himachal Pradesh, army was called to maintain telecom services as per directions of the Communications Minister Sukh Ram. In Assam, the Punjab Police who were posted to tackle terrorist forces were diverted to deal with the telecom strike. 144 was declared in many places. Employees were not allowed to enter offices and they were kept out. Army was called in many places in North East states like Nagaland, Manipur. 144 was declared in Chandigarh. In the telecom factories strike was complete with industrial workers are also fully participating in the strike.

In short, the strike was unprecedented and complete all over the country.

Support and Solidarity

In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front fully supported the strike and organized demonstrations and rallies. All the organizations of the state/central government employees extended support. In Calcutta trade unions and service associations held massive demonstrations.

Central Trade unions, CITU and AITUC issued press statements extending support. CITU, AITUC, INTUC, BMS and HMS jointly addressed a letter to Prime Minister  seeking an interview to discuss the matter.

10 prominent Members of parliament belonging to different parties viz. Indrajit Gupta, E.Balanandan, G.G.Swell, Susanta Chakraborty, Ramdeo Bhandary, Neelotpal Basu, Amal data, Asin Bala, Shivaji Patnaik, Laljan Pahra, Dipanker Mukherjee and Anil Basu addressed a letter to the Prime Minister supporting the strike and demanding a review of the national Telecom Policy- 1994.

Com. Desararth Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura and CPI(M) leader demanded Communications Minister Sukh Ram to reconsider the New Telecom Policy and also stated that the Tripura Government will not use ESMA against the telecom strike.

The National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) gave strong support and called upon its members to strike work for 2 hours on 26th June in solidarity with the striking telecom workers.

The All India State Government Employees Federation, ITI Employees Union, ITI Officers Association and many other organizations throughout the country supported the strike against privatization and organized solidarity actions like demonstrations, jathas etc.

The workers morale was very high and they showed enthusiasm and energy to fight =against the menace of privatization(To be continued)

Telecom TU Movement (20) – National Convention Against NTP – 1994

08 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU, CG Employees, Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015

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 Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti formed.

It is in this context to enable united action that “Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti” was formed with representatives of E.III, T.III, Administrative Union, P&T Industrial Union, JTOA, TESA (Delhi), ITI Employees Union, ITI Office Assn etc. with Com. A.K.Kaushik as Convener.

All India Convention against Telecom Privatisation – 20-04-1995

About 2000 delegates reached from all parts of the country to attend the All India convention against Privatisation of Telecom held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 20th April 1995. The Convention was presided over by a Presidium consisting of Coms. Moni Bose, M.K.Bagchi, Pabitra Chakraborty, Sisir Bhattacharjee, Salim, Manjunataswamy and Naresh Kumar.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri,, GS, E.III welcomed all including the chief guests and explained the  reasons for holding the convention.

Justice P.N.Bhagavathy inaugurated the Convention lighting the lamp. He urged the workers to be more conscious about their duties and oppose corruption. S/Shri S.M.Agarwal, Former Chairman, P&T Board, D.K.Sanghal, former Chairman, Telecom Board, P.R.Kumara Mangalam, M.P. and former Minister, N.Ram, Editor, Frontline, E.Balanandan, M.P. and President CITU, A.B.Bardhan, General Secretary AITUC, Neelotpal Basu, M.P., Prabir Purkayastha, Delhi Science Forum, Manjunatha Swami, G.L.Jogi, Moni Bose, P.S.Ramankutty, GS T.III, and other leaders addressed. A resolution on the  Programmes of Action to be implemented was adopted. The Convention appealed to all telecom workers to oppose NTP and privatization and to be prepared for sustained struggles.

The Convention called upon the employees to organize Day Long Dharna on 05-05-1995, holding of Circle/SSA level Conventions in preparations for the strike and Relay hunger Strike from 09.00 hours on 23rd  to 1800 hours on 24th May 1995 against NTP and privatization.

March to Prime Minister’s Residence

More than 3000 employees and officers participated in the March to the Prime Minister’s residence. The procession was stopped by police, where a rally was held. Coms. A.K.Koushik(TESA), Convener, DSSS and other leaders addressed.

A delegation consisting of Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri. A.K.Koushik, G.L.Jogi and salim(ITI) went to PM’s residence and handed over the Memorandum protesting against the proposal for privatization of telecom and  connections of the government and demanded to put a stop to the proposals.

The largely attended Convention and March enthused and inspired the workers for militant struggles against privatization.

E.III Meeting

The meeting of E.III comrades participated in the convention was held in the Hindu Mahasabha Hall presided by Com. Moni Bose, President.  The future programmes were discussed and decided. The meeting decided to continue with the agitation against privatization of telecom sector.

DA and Interim Relief

The Confederation of Central Government Employees & workers called upon the workers to organize protest demonstrations on 31st May 1995 demanding immediate grant of DA merger and Interim Relief, since the report of the CPC is being delayed. E.III Union called upon its workers to fully implement the call jointly along with other organizations.

Recognition of Unions withdrawn

Since the New Recognition Rules were implemented, the recognition of all the Unions/Federations in Telecom was withdrawn w.e.f. 05-05-1995. However, it was assured that JCM will continue and the facilities to the unions will not be withdrawn.

Dharna against Privatisation

As per the call of the Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti, massive demonstrations were conducted all over the country on 05-05-1995. In Delhi, a very impressive dharna was organized at Khurshid Lal Bhawan, which was addressed by Coms. K.Adinarayana, General Secretary, P.IV Union, K.K.N.Kutty, General Secretary ITEF, M.K.Bagchi, V.A.N.Namboodiri, G.L.Jogi, Pabitra Chakraborty, A.K.Kaushik, K.Mohanan Pillai, Chhidu Singh and other leaders.

The representatives of the Door Sanchar Sangharsh Samiti, V.A.N.Namboodiri, M.K.Bagchi, Pabitra Chakraborty and A.K.Kaushik  met the Chairman, Telecom Commission, R.K.Takkar and protested against the decision to allot space in departmental offices to the private companies. They also protested against privatization proposals.

In the meeting of the 3 Federations with Communications Minister Sukh Ram on 2nd June 1995, the leaders strongly opposed the move for privatization. But the Minister justified the National Telecom Policy and privatization. V.A.N.Namboodiri participated on behalf of E.III Union.

3 Federations serve Indefinite Sit-in-Strike Notice

As per the decision taken by the three Federations, NFTE, FNTO and BTEF, notice was served on Chairman Telecom Commission for organizing Indefinite Sit-in-Strike from 19th June 1995 demanding “Stop Privatisation of Telecom”. This was signed by O.P.Gupta (NFTE), R.Venkatraman (FNTO), Suresh Kumar(BTEF) and Raghubir Singh(Leader Staff Side, JCM). E.III union issued circulars calling upon the employees to fully participate in the strike. The three Federations also issued detailed circular exposing the arguments of the government for privatisation. This was an indictment of the government.

The workers were agitated over the government move for privatization and were fully ready to go on Indefinite Strike.  (To be continued)

Telecom TU Movement (19) -One Day Sit-in/Tools Down/Pen Down Strike on 23rd January 1995

05 Friday Feb 2016

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One Day Sit-in/Tools Down/Pen Down Strike on 23rd January 1995

The Telecom workers through their massive participation in one day strike on 23rd January 1995, have shown that they are completely against the NTP – 1994 and handing over this vital sector to foreign and Indian companies. The telecom will be fragmented and handed ove on silver platter to these MNCs and Indian corporates. This has to be opposed and defeated.

E.III Union took initiative and made efforts for organizing further struggles. But the Federations were lukewarm.  E.III, T.III and Administrative unions started massive propaganda amongst the workers and the people. Massively attended dharnas were organized in all centres on 13th and 14th March 1995 successfully.

Joint Letter to Minister against Privatisation

A joint letter by the unions was submitted to the Communications Minister Sukh Ram on 28-03-1995 demanding that the proposal of the government to privatise  telecom sector should be stopped.

Oral Evidence before V CPC

The Staff Side of the National Council (19 leaders) gave evidence before the V CPC on 20th and 21st February 1995. The Confederation of CG Employees and Workers was represented by Coms.S.K.Vyas, SG Confederation, O.P.Gupta, SG NFTE, R.L.Bhattacharya, Dy SG NFPE, G.L.Dhar GS, Central Sectt. And K.K.N.Kutty, GS, Income Tax.  The demands of the employees were placed effectively before the CPC.

Massive Dharna / Human Chain against Privatisation

As per the call of  E.III, T.III and Administrative Unions massive dharna / Human Chain was organized  on 14-03-1995 at district levels against privatization of telecom, which was actively participated by thousands of workers. The reports from districts indicated that workers are angry at the privatization move of the government. (To be continued)

Telecom TU Movement (18) – National Convention on 21 June 1994

05 Tuesday Jan 2016

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Federations withdraw the strike

On the basis of a letter from the Chairman, Telecom Commission, NFTE, FNTO and BTEF withdrew the strike, once again betraying the interests of the telecom workers. E.III Union strongly protested. Branches all over the country sent protest telegrams. Massive Dharnas were organized at all major centres protesting at the betrayal of the Federations.

National Convention on 21st June 1994

The National Convention  on 21st June 1994 called by the National Platform of Mass Organisations  held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi against the IMF prescribed economic policies of the government and the Dunkel draft was participated by thousands of workers from various parts of India. It severely criticized the neo-liberal policies being implemented by the government and decided for protest actions. It decided for one day country wide General Strike and Hartal on September 29, 1994.  E.III Union delegates, including General Secretary, participated in the Convention.

Sustained Struggles against privatization

The government was moving fast on privatization. Letter of intent was given to US WEST company for pilot projects in 4 districts of T.Nadu. This was vehemently opposed by telecom workers.

V Central Pay Commission – Memorandum submitted

The Staff Side of the National Council in its meeting on 24-05-1994 appointed a Drafting Committee with S.K.Vyas, S.Madhusudan and K.Ramamurthi to draft the I Part the  Memorandum to the V CPC. The separate federations/ unions will have to prepare the memorandums on their departmental issues. It was also decided to demand interim relief and merger of DA. E.III CWC had formed a committee to prepare the sectional demands. The Main Memorandum was submitted by the Staff Side. The E.III Union Memorandum was submitted on 31st August 1994 to the V CPC.

General strike on 29th September 1994

The General Strike called for by the National Platform of Mass Organisations was a big success. E.III Union also gave the call and it was a big success in the telecom also.

Red Carpet to Private Sector to telecom

Communications Minister, Sukh Ram in his Press statement  outlined the method of granting licence to the private companies for operating telecom services. It mentioned how to give licences, regulatory authority , pilot project, period of licencing etc. It was a red carpet welcome for the private operators to enter the lucrative sector.

Minister also announced the companies elected for cellular services as follows:

Delhi: Bharti Cellular and Sterling Cellular

Bombay: Max Hutchinson Ltd and BPL Systems and & Project Ltd.

Calcutta: Usha martin Telecom and Indian Telecom Private Ltd.

Madras: Sky Cell Communications and Mobile Telecom Services.

A large number of companies were proposed for private participation in basic telecom services. Thus the map was drawn for the entry of the private companies both in Cellular and basic services.

New Technology Workshop at Calcutta

In continuation of the Workshop conducted at Haldia last year, another Workshop was organized at Calcutta by the Commonwealth Trade union and CITU together on 25-27 October 1994. The main topic was New Technology in various sectors. In both the workshops V.A.N.Namboodiri attended and submitted papers on the Telecom Sector.

Interim Relief, DA Merger

As per call of the Confederation demonstrations were organized in telecom also on 19th January 1995 demanding Interim Relief and DA Merger. The programme was a grand success.

Tenders called for telecom services.

The government was moving fast on privatization. Tenders were called for providing cellular and basic telecom services from private operators. Letter of Intent was given to US WEST company for pilot projects in four districts of T.Nadu. This was strongly opposed by the workers. As per the call of the  federations/unions, telecom workers organized demonstration on 17-01-1995. (To be continued)

Telecom TU Movement (17) – One Hour Strike on 23-05-1994

29 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Further attacks on E.III (N)

Consequent upon our application for verification in the name of All India Telecom Employees Union Class-III(Namboodiri) was accepted by DOT,  O.P.Gupta made efforts to take control of Dada Ghosh Bhawan, where the union is functioning. OPG, who has no authority in the building, wanted us, the real owners, to vacate.

The situation became grave after more threats, abuses and warnings over phone. General Secretary, V.A.N.Namboodiri, was compelled to approach Tiz Hazari Court. On the basis of the report of the Commissioner, Tiz Hazari Court ordered status quo which continues even at present. CHQ continued to function at Dada Ghosh Bhawan.

Hijacking of Union Journals

Using political pressure and with support of DOT, both our journals which we were publishing after Bhopal All India Conference, “Telecom” and “Correspondence”, as also CHQ Telephone No. 011- 5701877 were hijacked by the disruptors. We had anticipated this situation and had applied for new journal and telephone.

Accordingly E.III(N) started publishing two journals, “Tele-Crusader” and “Telemessage”. Three telephones – 011-5705385, 5894862 and 5894100 were also got provided. E.III(N) office employees, Coms. Atmaram and Raghubir Singh also deserted and joined OPG camp. In fact, they were waiting for such an opportunity.

All round attack was made on the E-III (N) union by al the dark forces. They thought that just like in 1971, when they could create havoc and succeed in destabilizing the duly and democratically elected office-bearers of NFPTE headed by K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan as President and Secretary General, they could succeed this time also with the support of the administration and the government. But they were mistaken. The workers have learnt lessons from hard experiences. They were fully prepared to fight and defeat the disruptors. E-III (N) Union withstood all the attacks and continued to work with more determination and vigour. –

National Telecom Policy 1994

The announcement of National Telecom Policy 1994 (NTP 1994)  by the Government on 13-05-1994, on the last day of the Parliament session and just before the Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s visit to US sent shock waves throughout the country. The telecom workers were taken aback.  It was clear that the NTP was brought to pave for privatization.

The main declared aims and objectives of NTP – ensuring availability of telephones on demand, universal service covering all villages, quality of service to be world standard, emergence of India as a major manufacturing base etc- are laudable but the method and strategy of liberalization and privatization are nothing short of handing over this lucrative sector to MNCs and Indian corporates.

In the meeting called by Communications Minister Sukh Ram, the representatives of the Federations and Unions strongly opposed  privatization.In fact, the Minister was unable to answer the pertinent questions raised by the union representative.

The meeting of the federations immediately held after the meeting expressed strong protest against the privatization move and decided to organize one hour strike on each shift  on 23rd May 1994. The future of the 4.75 lakhs of telecom workers as well as the security of the nation can not be at the mercy of the capitalists and the MNCs.

One Hour Strike on 23-05-1994

The One Hour Strike on 23 May 1994 was a big success with full participation of the workers. The success surpassed all expectations.

Central Working Committee at Delhi – June 1994

E.III Union held its CWC Meeting at Deputy Speakers Hall, Constitution Club, V.P.House, New Delhi on 18-19 July 1994, to discuss the grave situation arising out of the NTP- 1994. Com.Moni Bose, President, presided. Com. K.Adinarayana, Secretary General, NFPE, inaugurated the CWC.

A Seminar on “Impact of NTP-1994” was held. Prabir Purkayastha(Delhi Science Forum), S.M.Agarwal (former  DG P&T) and union leaders participated. The necessity of opposing the anti-people NTP-1994 was stressed by the speakers.

The CWC decided to observe “Scrap NTP Day”on 12-07-1994 by organizing demonstration, rallies etc. A Committee with Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS as Convener with Coms. Moni Bose, D.Dutta Gupta, B.K.Goswami, J.Renganathan and P.V.Chandrasekharan as members was formed to prepare Memorandum to the V Central Pay Commission which was appointed on 9th April 1994 with Justice S.R.Pandian as the Chairman.

The CWC congratulated the Reception Committee headed by Com. Chhidu Singh, CS, T.III, K.M.Pillai, CS E.III for making excellent arrangements for the CWC meeting at short notice.

Agitational Programmes

After discussion with other Federations/Unions, the following agitational programmes were organized with massive participation:

  • Joint Demonstration on 05-07-1994
  • Memorandum to Prime minister and Governors on 19-07-1994
  • Massive Dharnas at circle Head Offices on 26-07-1994

Thus the workers reacted sharply against the government’s move to privatise telecom.

One Day Strike proposed on 17-09-994

It was decided by all the federations and unions to observe one day strike on 17th September 1994 against the government offensive to sell telecom to private. All preparations were made for the successful strike. (To be continued)